Tackle the stigma around dementia mate wareware this World Alzheimers Month

The stigma around a diagnosis can stop people and their whānau living with dementia mate wareware reaching out for the support they need.

That’s the message Alzheimers NZ is sharing this September as part of World Alzheimers Month. The theme for 2024 is ‘Time to act on dementia, time to act on Alzheimers’.

There are currently 70,000 people living with dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand, and this is expected to increase 240 percent in the next 30 years.

“There are some misconceptions around dementia mate wareware but with the right support people can continue doing the things they love,” says Chief Executive Catherine Hall.

“Stigma is one of the key issues in the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan we need to address.

“We’re urging Government to fully fund and implement the plan and fund community-based Alzheimers and dementia mate wareware services so we can help tackle the stigma.

“As individuals, we can all play our part by simply having a conversation about dementia mate wareware and learning more. Let’s break the silence – it’s time to act on dementia!”

Get involved

There are many ways you can act on dementia mate wareware this September.

Our fourth and final Repositioning Dementia: What’s next? one-day event will be held on Tuesday 24 September in Wellington and online. Find more details and register on our website.

At the event, Dr Ngaire Kerse will launch Alzheimer’s Disease International 2024 World Alzheimer Report on global attitudes to dementia mate wareware. Thanks to everybody who took part in the global attitudes to dementia mate wareware survey earlier in the year to help bring this together.

You could also join the national premiere of film Human Forever in Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland  in the first week of September or online. Tickets are $25 and available online now.

You’ll see (or hear) some radio and other media advertisements, and we have some exciting social media videos and a new podcast to share around stigma. We’ll also announce our 2024 research Fellowship.

If you’ve got 20 minutes you can become a Dementia Friend through our online module, or help us fundraise for a good cause by setting your own Move for Dementia challenge!

Use the hashtags #TimeToActOnDementia, #TimeToActOnAlzheimers and #WorldAlzheimersMonth in your own social media to support the global campaign.

If you need more support, reach out to your local Alzheimers or Dementia organisation or find more information on our website.

Local events

• Spud in a bucket: Entries on sale from Thursday 22 August, $15 each from the Bunnings foyer in Gisborne, every Saturday from 10am
• Mindful Art exhibition: 29 August to 21 September, The Incubator Creative Hub
• Alzheimers Taranaki: About Dementia evening workshop: Tuesday 3 September, 6pm – 7.30pm, in person and online (bookings required)
• Alzheimers Taranaki: Reducing the risk public talk: Monday 9 September, 10am – 11.30am, 14 Manakohi St (bookings required)
• Alzheimers Southland: Caring for people with dementia mate wareware – An evening with Dr Daniel Allan: Wednesday 11 September, Age Concern Southland, 7pm, $5 koha
• Debbie Barber exhibition on her personal response to her mum’s dementia: 14 – 26 October, Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi – Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre
• Alzheimers Northland Memory Walk: Sunday 15 September, 8am, Town Basin
• Alzheimers South Canterbury Memory Walk 2024: Sunday 15 September, 10am, Caroline Bay (Fountain area)
• Alzheimers Taranaki: Library display and drop-in session: 16 – 20 September, Puke Ariki, Hawera and Opunake libraries
• Alzheimers Eastern Bay of Plenty: Street appeal from 16 to 20 September
• Alzheimers Nelson/Tasman: Street appeal/raffle: 17 to 19 September, Stoke, Richmond and Motueka
• Alzheimers Taranaki: An evening with Sir Richard Faull, Friday 20 September, 6pm – 7.30pm, 14 Manakohi St (bookings required)
• Alzheimers Nelson/Tasman: Memory Walk: Saturday 21 Septemner, 11am, Isel Park (meet outside St. Barnabas Church), Stoke
• Alzheimers Taranaki: Memory Walk: Sunday 22 September from 10am, wear purple and walk with the community from East End Reserve to Tasman Prospect
• Alzheimers Northland Bake-off for Memories: Sunday 22 September, 11am, $15 entry fee
• About Dementia workshop: Thursday 26 September, Alzheimers Gisborne, 10am, RSVP to alzheimers@xtra.co.nz
• Bike for Dementia: Friday 27 September, 9am to 5pm, Strathallan Street (corner), Timaru
• Alzheimers Northland – Cuppa for a cause: Tuesday 1 October, 1.30pm, $20 per person

Caption: Ruth Thorn (pictured above) has had Vascular Dementia for seven years. Her husband Derek Thorn says this photo epitomizes the laughter and fun that can occur with people living with dementia mate wareware.